Novelion reports 2017 total net revenues of $138.4 million, in line with previously stated guidance

Plans underway to address capital structure and advance metreleptin development program

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novelion Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:NVLN), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing therapies for individuals living with rare diseases ("Novelion" or the "Company"), today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2017 and provided an overview of recent business activities.

Chief Operating Officer Jeff Hackman said, "We are focused on executing near-term plans that we believe will position our company for sustainable future growth. These priorities include cost control and expense management, reviewing our holding and capital structure with a view toward optimizing our assets for shareholders, advancing the metreleptin development program, and continuing to provide important therapies to our patients."

Business Update

JUXTAPID: Novelion reported net revenues of JUXTAPID of $20.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, $14.2 million, or 71%, of which were from prescriptions written in the U.S.

MYALEPT: Novelion reported net revenues
of MYALEPT of $18.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, $13.3 million, or 71%, of which were from prescriptions written in the U.S.

Novelion reported total consolidated net revenues of $138.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Novelion ended 2017 with $55.4 million in unrestricted cash, compared with $70.5 million at the end of the third quarter of 2017.

As announced separately today, subsidiary Aegerion Pharmaceuticals entered into a new secured financing facility with affiliates of Sarissa Capital Management and Broadfin Capital LLC providing for a $20 million term loan to
Aegerion, strengthening Aegerion's balance sheet and liquidity, and positioning the Company for ongoing capital structure review.

In January 2018, Novelion undertook significant cost reduction plans as it continues to manage its limited cash resources.

With respect to its European application to register metreleptin for marketing authorization, after taking into account the results of an oral hearing of the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use ("CHMP"), which occurred in February 2018, the Company expects the opinion of the CHMP in the second quarter of 2018 and the European Commission's approval decision in mid-2018.

Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results

On November 29, 2016, the Company
completed its acquisition of Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Aegerion"). The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination in which Novelion was considered the acquirer of Aegerion. As such, under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), the financial statements of Novelion are treated as the historical financial statements of the consolidated companies, with the results of Aegerion being included from November 29, 2016. This release also includes pro forma adjusted non-GAAP financial information showing pro forma results of operations of Novelion as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2016. Reconciliation of the financial results on a GAAP versus non-GAAP basis are provided below the financial information that
follows.

GAAP total net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $38.9 million compared to the prior year's fourth quarter net revenues of $13.6 million. GAAP net revenues for JUXTAPID in the fourth quarter of 2017 were $20.1 million compared to $8.6 million in the prior year. GAAP net revenues for MYALEPT in the fourth quarter of 2017 were $18.8 million compared to $5.0 million for the same period in 2016.

GAAP total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $35.9 million compared to total operating expenses of $22.0 million for the same period in 2016. GAAP SG&A expenses were $24.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $16.0 million for the same period in 2016.
GAAP R&D expenses were $11.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $6.0 million for the same period in 2016.

On a pro forma basis, during the fourth quarter of 2017, SG&A expenses were $22.5 million compared to $55.9 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease in pro forma SG&A expenses in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with the same period in 2016 was primarily related to a reduction in headcount and legal and consulting fees.

On a pro forma basis, during the fourth quarter of 2017, R&D expenses were $11.6 million compared to $14.2 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease in pro forma R&D expenses in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with the same period in 2016 was primarily related to a reduction in headcount and
the timing of vendor related activities.

GAAP net loss in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $24.6 million compared to GAAP net loss of $19.9 million during the same period in 2016.

On a pro forma basis, net loss in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $3.3 million, compared to $20.1 million for the same period in 2016.

Full Year 2017 Financial Results

GAAP total net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $138.4 million compared to $13.6 million in 2016. GAAP net revenues for JUXTAPID for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $72.1 million compared to $8.6 million in 2016. GAAP net revenues for MYALEPT for the year ended
December 31, 2017 were $66.3 million compared to $5.0 million in 2016.

GAAP total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $148.0 million compared to total operating expenses of $44.3 million in 2016. GAAP SG&A expenses were $96.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $29.5 million in 2016. GAAP R&D expenses were $49.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $14.8 million in 2016.

Cost of product sales were $77.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2017. Cost of product sales in the current year includes $18.8 million reserves recorded for excess and obsolete
inventory, which are derived from projected sales activities, respective product shelf-life and their respective fair value. Additionally, cost of product sales was also comprised of the cost of inventory sold, amortization of acquired product rights, which resulted from the acquisition of Aegerion, and estimated royalties payable related to the sales of lomitapide and metreleptin. We expect cost of product sales for metreleptin to increase in 2018 and for the next several years, due primarily to an increasing time-based royalty rate on net sales of metreleptin in the U.S.

On a pro forma basis, for the year ended December 31, 2017, SG&A expenses were $90.7 million compared to $200.1 million in 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, R&D expenses on
a pro forma basis were $48.2 million compared to $52.1 million in 2016.

GAAP net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $126.7 million compared to GAAP net loss of $52.9 million in 2016.

On a pro forma basis, net loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $30.0 million, compared to $136.0 million in 2016.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company's consolidated unrestricted cash balance was $55.4 million, compared to $70.5 million at September 30, 2017 and $108.9 million at December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2017, there were 18.7 million shares outstanding. At December 31,
2017, total debt principal was $325 million, reflecting the principal amount of convertible debt, before discount, issued by Aegerion and consolidated as a result of the acquisition.

About Novelion Therapeutics

Novelion Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing new standards of care for individuals living with rare diseases. Novelion has a rare disease product portfolio through its subsidiary, Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The Company seeks to advance its portfolio of rare disease therapies by investing in science and clinical development.

Non-GAAP Results

The non-GAAP results in this press release, including, without limitation, non-GAAP net revenues, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP R&D expenses, non-GAAP SG&A expenses and non-GAAP net loss, are provided as a complement to results provided in accordance with GAAP because management believes, when considered together with the GAAP information, these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the Company's business, are important in comparing current results with prior period results and provide additional information regarding the Company's financial performance. In particular, management believes that the pro forma financial information facilitates the evaluation of the impact of Novelion's acquisition of Aegerion on the business and performance of the Company. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures to establish budgets and
operational goals that are communicated internally and externally, and to manage the Company's business and evaluate its performance. The non-GAAP financial measures have no standardized meaning under GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP and should be reviewed in conjunction with the relevant GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of the GAAP financial results to non-GAAP financial results is included in the attached financial information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" of Novelion within the meaning of
applicable laws and regulations and constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements contained herein which do not describe historical facts, including statements regarding expectations and beliefs about the Company's near-term plans and the Company's position for sustainable future growth; expectations as to the opinion of the CHMP and the European Commission's approval decision, including timing; expectations that the cost of product sales for metreleptin will increase in 2018 and for the next several years; and our capital structure review are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks associated with Aegerion's previously disclosed criminal
plea agreement and other government settlement arrangements (including the government's recitation of their assessment of the background of its case, the settlement itself and publicity related to the settlement), the risk that the government investigations and the settlement will give rise to third party demands, claims or litigation that could materially and adversely impact our results of operations, including demands or claims by, or litigation with, third party payers, healthcare providers, or patients or investors, for matters related to the subject matter of or disclosure in connection with the investigation or the settlement, the likelihood that the investigation could lead to potential investigations, claims or litigation by consumer protection agencies or groups, or provide a basis for product liability claims or litigation and the adverse effects the investigation and
settlement could have on Aegerion's commercial operations and contracts, along with those risks identified in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2017, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 9, 2017, our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 31, 2018, and subsequent filings (including our upcoming Annual Report on Form 10-K), with the SEC, available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Any such risks and uncertainties could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, profitability and cash flows, which would, in turn, have a significant and adverse impact on our stock price. We
caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

This press release also contains "forward-looking information" that constitutes "financial outlooks" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. This information is provided to give investors general guidance on management's current expectations of certain factors affecting our business, including our financial results. Given the uncertainties, assumptions and risk factors associated with this type of information, including those described above, investors are cautioned that the information may not be an appropriate subject
of reliance for other purposes.

Investors and others should note that we communicate with our investors and the public using our company website, www.novelion.com, including, but not limited to, company disclosures, investor presentations and FAQs, SEC filings, press releases, public conference call transcripts and webcast transcripts. The information that we post on this website could be deemed to be material information. As a result, we encourage investors, the media and others interested to review the information that we post there on a regular basis. The contents of our website shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

U.S. INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY
INFORMATION

JUXTAPID® (lomitapide) capsules is a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor indicated as an adjunct to a low-fat diet and other lipid-lowering treatments, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis where available, to reduce LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). LIMITATIONS OF USE: The safety and effectiveness of JUXTAPID have not been established in patients with hypercholesterolemia who do not have HoFH, including those with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). The effect of JUXTAPID on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been determined.

JUXTAPID can cause elevations in transaminases, as well as increases in hepatic fat, with or
without concomitant increases in transaminases. Because of the risk of hepatotoxicity, JUXTAPID is available only through a restricted distribution program called the JUXTAPID REMS PROGRAM. For more detailed information, please see additional Important Safety Information and the Prescribing Information for JUXTAPID.

MYALEPT® (metreleptin) for injection is a leptin analog indicated as an adjunct to diet as replacement therapy to treat the complications of leptin deficiency in patients with congenital or acquired generalized lipodystrophy. LIMITATIONS OF USE: The safety and effectiveness of MYALEPT for the treatment of complications of partial lipodystrophy or for the treatment of liver disease, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), have not been established.

Anti-metreleptin antibodies with neutralizing activity have been
identified in patients treated with MYALEPT. T-cell lymphoma has been reported in patients with acquired generalized lipodystrophy, both treated and not treated with MYALEPT. For more detailed information, please see additional Important Safety Information and the Prescribing Information for MYALEPT.